AIRDRIE cursed a defensive cock-up and a string of missed chances as Dundee United marched on with a win that was far less comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

AIRDRIE cursed a defensive cock-up and a string of missed chances as Dundee United marched on with a win that was far less comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

Ryan Dow got the opener in the 10th-minute after a mistake by Diamonds keeper Paul McKane and sub Jon Daly clinched it with 15 minutes left.

Airdrie will, however, feel aggrieved as they could easily have been ahead at the break.

United's night started badly when Scott Robertson injured himself in the warm-up and rookie midfielder Stuart Armstrong took his place.

And the late call-up set the ball rolling for the visitors' opener in the 10th minute.

His shot from the edge of the box should have been easy for McKane but the ball squirted out of his grasp to the feet of Dow who stroked it into the gaping net.

Two minutes later Paul Dixon fired in another shot and again McKane spilled it but he escaped punishment on that occasion.

The home side then began to find their rhythm and repeatedly came close to levelling in a 20-minute spell leading up to half-time with Ryan Donnell three times coming close to finding the net.

United re-emerged with an urgency that suggested a halftime kick up the backside from boss Peter Houston and John Rankin flashed a shot just wide on 59 minutes then Lauri Dalla Valle was denied by a fine save from McKane.

And with 15 minutes left on the clock United made the game safe.

Dixon dashed down the left and his cross was latched on to by Daly who steered the ball home from eight yards.